The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Friday 23 Feb 1883 Page 3
SUBMERSION OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY AT NORTHMOOR. - Notwithstanding the cessation of rainfall, so large is the accumulation of water upon Curry Moor that it still continues to find its way through the gaps in the Baltmoor wall upon Northmoor and over the main line of the Great Western Railway, which was yesterday submerged not less than 23 inches. Extra pilot-engines are kept waiting on either side of the flooded district to assist in pulling the trains though the waste of waters, their progress though which is only at the rate of about four miles an hour. On Sunday a large number of persons drove to Lyng from Taunton, North Petherton, Bridgwater, &c., to witness the gaps in the Baltmoor wall. One party, consisting of Messrs. C. HOOK, grocer; F. HOOK, F. BEST, pawnbroker; and W. ROOKLEY, telegraph clerk, hired a boat, which was incautiously take too near the largest of the gaps. The boot was pulled abreast of the gaps, and when too late to avert the danger it was literally “sucked” into the waterfall, the surface-water in its vicinity being drawn like a whirlpool towards it. The boatman in charge managed to lay hold of some brambles and pulled himself upon the embankment. None of the others were so fortunate, for immediately the gunwale of the boat came into contact with the falling torrent the craft, a large fishing-boat, was capsized, and in an instant completely lost to view, its occupants being precipitated into the surf. They were rescued by persons in several other boats near.